Researchers have officially identified a new species of small, spotted wild cat known as the Leopardus tilcayo, or “tilcayo tiger cat,” found in the Bolivian Yungas forest. The discovery came after a local resident rescued the animal, initially mistaking the wild predator for a domestic kitten.
While this is the first new cat species discovery in a century, local Indigenous communities have long known of the cat’s existence. Genetic testing confirmed the species’ uniqueness, and experts are now focused on protecting its habitat from agricultural development.